So a few years back I bought 100 junk V nickels just for fun. The lot had most dates, no keys or so I thought. I turned over this 1912 and found a mint mark. Now even a Denver minted coin is cool so I put to the side. The more I looked at the mint mark the more it looked like a S. I've compared it to similar graded examples on Heritage and other sites the the mint mark seems to match. San Francisco or not it as been a fun coin to deal with but the mint mark could be added or a D maybe? I am thinking of submitting it to PCCG or NGC but thought I would ask here first since I don't have collectors locally to ask and I know no one bites here . I am always think in must be a denver because that is just so much more likely
Looks more like a D to me I suggest not sending it in.Even if it is an S in that condition value wise you would basically be breaking even.Just keep the coin the way it is,sure did serve its time well.
I think it might be an S because you can kind of see in-between the space that appears to be the curvatures on an S. And on a closer look, I can almost see the S. I don't see a D though. Try looking at it at an angle, or soaking it in acetone or using MS70 (coin cleaner) to remove the bit of dirt in that area. But if you chose to use MS70, use a Q-tip and just dab the area so it doesn't scratch it. It should be able to get it off pretty easily. Good luck.
I am leaning towards an S MM. Although searching thru some G-04. I could see it as a tossup with the grader. All the MM placements are pretty well placed in the same location
Really hard to say. That lower left tail looks long even for an S, but it does look like there's an indentation on the right side. I think it looks a little more like an S than a D, but I'd want to put all the magnification on it that I can. Also oblique lighting, to highlight relief and make it easier to distinguish from the blotchy toning.
Looks to me like it resembles the S ever so slightly more than the D. I wouldn't put my own money on it, though, at least not from these photos. I sure wish the Mint had taken a little more care to design mintmarks that would remain distinguishable when worn.
My gut feeling, honestly, is that it's a Denver mint mark that's taken a hit (either unintentional or otherwise.)
I'm going to flip a coin, because I've waffled back and forth between S and D ever since it was first posted. It came up tails, S. (But I really think it's a D). Steve